Awards and Competitions
We run a range of awards for our members and biology enthusiasts. We also have a number of competitions for school students as well as a photography competition for biology enthusiasts.
Awards — open to all
The President's Medal is awarded to individuals who have supported the Royal Society of Biology in an exceptional way, going above and beyond the normal volunteer role and having a significant impact on the organisation.
Nominations are accepted from individuals, member organisations, special interest groups and branches of the Society.
Awards — open to students
The Top Student Award rewards the achievements of outstanding undergraduate biologists by publicly recognising their skills and abilities.
We invite universities throughout the country to take part, the award will go to the student at the institution that has achieved the highest percentage in their bioscience degree.
Awards — open to teachers
The Royal Society of Biology endorses and supports the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) Awards for primary science teachers.
Until 2025, a category of PSTT Primary Science Teacher Award, known as the Royal Society of Biology Award, recognised outstanding and inspirational teaching of biology within the context of primary education within the UK school system. Now we support all of the awards.
More information about the Primary Science Teachers of the Year Award is available on the PSTT website.
Previous winners of the award include:
- 2025: Emily Fisher, Emma Walker, John McGoldrick,, Katie Adams, Lynne McKay, Michelle Davies
- 2024: Debbie Powell, Westminster Primary Academy, Blackpool
- 2023: Rachel Cuthbert, Summer Lane Primary School, Barnsley
- 2021 / 2022: Chloe Lister, Newington Green Primary School, London
- 2020: Rebecca Riley, Horbury CE Academy, Wakefield & Claire Seeley, PSTT Regional Mentor and Primary Lead for the Suffolk and Norfolk SLP
- 2019: Emma Crisell, Richard Taylor CE Primary School, Harrogate
- 2018: Nicola Bolton from Heswall Primary School, Wirral
- 2017: Elaine Stockdale from Tongwynlais Primary School in Cardiff, Wales & Mary Haughey from St John’s Primary School and Carnlough Community Nursery, Ballymena, Northern Ireland
- 2016: Kelly Thomas, Penllergaer Primary School, Swansea
- 2015: Michele Grimshaw, PSTT Area Mentor, Burnley & Judith Carnelley, Shirley Manor Primary School, Bradford
The School Biology Teacher of the Year Award aims to recognise the very best and most inspiring secondary school and college teachers in the UK.
Individuals can enter by being nominated, either by themselves, a colleague, parent/guardian of a student, school governor or head teacher, using our application form.
The Higher Education Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award seeks to identify the UK's leading bioscience higher education (HE) teachers, recognising the invaluable role they play in educating and inspiring the next generation of biologists. The Award is open to all employed bioscience teachers in the UK HE sector.
Awards — open to apprentices
The RSB's Apprentice of the Year Award has been set up to celebrate and recognise apprentices' contributions to their teams and the wider bioscience community. The award also forms part of the RSB's Technician Action Plan to support the Technician Commitment.
Competitions
An annual biology photography competition which invites amateurs to submit photographs on a particular theme. Each year, the competition's judges look for an original interpretation of this theme. Participants can enter in one of two categories: Photographer of the Year (18 and over), or Young Photographer of the Year (under 18).
A drawing and painting competition for children aged 7-18 years old to draw or paint their favourite animal, plant or fungi. There is also a sub-category, the Nancy Rothwell Prize, for specimen drawings entered into this competition.
This competition invites participants to create a biology-inspired 3D artwork from recycled, or other, materials. The competition is open internationally and to all ages.
Discover other ways to get involved